Refugees Rise to Become Political Powerhouses

In the heart of America’s Midwest, Minnesota’s Somali community stands as the largest in the nation, carving out a significant space in the state’s cultural and political landscape over three decades. This community, numbering between 80,000 and 100,000 people, has recently faced intense scrutiny following federal investigations into alleged misuse of pandemic food aid by some members.

Federal authorities are investigating a network of nonprofits and individuals, including some Somali Minnesotans, accused of diverting hundreds of millions of dollars intended to feed children during the pandemic. The allegations claim the funds were redirected through elaborate schemes involving non-existent beneficiaries.

The story of how this vibrant community established itself in Minnesota traces back to the early 1990s, when Somalia plunged into a devastating civil war. According to documentation from the Minnesota Historical Society, the conflict displaced more than 2.5 million Somalis, with over one million fleeing as refugees or asylum seekers to countries worldwide.

The United States began issuing refugee visas to Somalis in 1992, establishing a formal pathway for resettlement. Minnesota quickly emerged as a preferred destination, largely due to its robust refugee resettlement infrastructure and the state’s reputation for strong social services.

A common misconception surrounds the immigration status of Somali Minnesotans. Many discussions incorrectly focus on Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a designation created by Congress in 1990 for people from countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. While Somalia has periodically received TPS designation since the 1990s due to ongoing instability, Congressional Research Service data shows only approximately 700 Somali TPS holders exist nationwide.

This represents a tiny fraction of Minnesota’s Somali population. The vast majority arrived through refugee resettlement programs, which provide a permanent legal pathway including comprehensive vetting, resettlement support, and eventual access to green cards and citizenship—a fundamentally different track than the temporary nature of TPS.

What makes the Minnesota Somali community particularly noteworthy is its rapid ascent to political relevance. In just one generation, the community transformed from newly arrived refugees to a formidable political constituency with representatives at multiple levels of government.

The foundation for this political emergence was established in Minneapolis’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, where the community built mosques, cultural centers, and advocacy organizations throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. These institutions fostered community cohesion and eventually political mobilization.

The political breakthroughs followed in succession. In 2013, Abdi Warsame became the first Somali American elected to the Minneapolis City Council, marking the community’s initial entry into elected office. Three years later, Ilhan Omar achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Somali American elected to any state legislature in the United States.

Omar’s political rise continued in 2018 when she won election to Congress, becoming the first Somali American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her national profile has brought increased attention—both positive and negative—to Minnesota’s Somali community.

Historians note that this political success stems partly from the community’s strong social infrastructure. The Minnesota Historical Society documents how Somali refugees “arrived with social and cultural resources” and quickly established extensive networks facilitating access to housing, employment, and education. These same networks later proved invaluable for political organizing and voter mobilization.

Today, Somali Americans hold positions throughout Minnesota’s political landscape, including seats on the Minneapolis City Council, in the Minnesota House of Representatives, in local party leadership structures, and in Congress. This representation reflects both the community’s successful integration and its growing influence in shaping Minnesota’s political future.

As federal investigations into alleged aid fraud continue, this established community finds itself at a challenging crossroads, balancing its significant accomplishments against scrutiny that risks casting a shadow on its broader contributions to Minnesota society.